Frontier Communications, Anchorage, AK. ANWR.ORG Jobs and Energy for America. 2008 Arctic Power - Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. November 13, 2008 <http://www.anwr.org/>. 1-75% of Alaskans support the exploration of gas and oil. JMS 2-Northern Slope of Alaska, about 3-9 billion barrels of recoverable oil. JMS 3-U.S. would save 14 billion per year in oil imports. JMS 4-About 250,000-735,000 jobs created. JMS 5-Oil/gas development coexist with wildlife. JMS 6-Only 8% of the Northern coast will be developed. JMS 7-Economic impact 50 million. 1997 to 2004. JMS 8-2007 60% oil imported = 330 billion in oil imports. JMS 9-Pres. Bush,”20% increase in oil would likely lower gas prices. Jms 10-USA imports 65% of the nations needs for petroleum. 11-They spend more than $55.1 billion a year on oil. 12-these figures are elevating so much we could exceed 80% imports in 2010. 13-there is a estimated amount of 3 to 9 billion barrels of oil under the north slope of Alaska. 14-the Coastal Plain could produce up to 1.5 million barrels per day for at least 25 years - nearly 25% of current daily U.S. production. 15-The U.S. would save $14 billion per year in oil imports 16-Between 250,000 and 735,000 jobs are estimated to be created by development of the Coastal Plain. 17-Federal revenues would be enhanced by billions of dollars from bonus bids, lease rentals, royalties, and taxes. 18-The Coastal Plain of ANWR is America's best bet for the discovery of another giant "Prudhoe Bay-sized" ail and gas field in North America. Many economic benefits would result Nixon, Robin. Oil Drilling: Risk and Rewards. 25 June 2008 04:46 pm ET LiveScience. November, 13 2008 <http://www.livescience.com/environment/080625-oil-drilling.html>. 19-Environmental Groups have sued the government to try and stop the off shore drilling in the Chukchi Sea. J Webb
20-Drilling will endanger many different kinds of mammals, sea life, and birds J Webb 21-Global warming has stopped the drilling in Alaska for the minute but it is said it will start again. J Webb 22-Arctic drilling wouldn’t help the high oil prices. J Webb 23-Drilling would just destroy the economy even more and companies would start lying off employees. J Webb 24-Other options to drilling are sharing oil from other countries instead of getting it from over seas. J Webb 25-Can pollute the air and can be spills, this could damage the ocean and the land. J Webb 26-Drilling affects the births of animals because they leave the area when the rig is there. J Webb 27-Oil spreads half a football field a second. J Webb hargreaves, steve. oildrillinginalaska. july,21,2008 november,13,08 <http://money.cnn.com/2008/07/20/news/economy/alaska_drilling/index.htm>. 28, People say it will say the United States is going to go with less imports and try to bring oil prices down and make easier on drivers. J wiles 29, People are saying that in addition to environmental damage there isn’t much oil there anyways 30, other people say we will produce 800,000 barrels of crude oil in a day 31, But 800,000 is only 1%of the worlds daily crude oil output J wiles 32, some say that they are using the oil drilling in Alaska is a cover up to draw attention away from alternative energy problems J wiles 33, James Cordier says that it would make people think we were going to drill everywhere J wiles T., Amanda. To Drill or Not to Drill. March 26, 2005 November 13, 2008 <http://www.kiwibox.com/article/33066>.
Pros 34-March 16, Senate (49-50) vote approved drilling in ANWR. JMS 35-Reduce dependence on foreign oil. JMS 36-Produce 1 million barrels of oil per day. JMS 37-Less than 2000 acres would be affected out of 1.5 million acres. JMS 38-Produce revenue for state/federal treasury. JMS Cons 39-Destroy the environment. JMS 40-Wouldn’t impact the need for foreign oil. JMS 41-Provides only about 6 months supply of oil. JMS 42-Oil found would not be available for ten years. JMS 43-Disrupt wildlife. JMS 44-No impact on oil prices and supplies. JMS 45-Displace federal budget/medicare/social security funds to pay for drilling. JMS
Muhawi, Daniela. Oil Drilling in Alaska. December 18th, 2004 November, 13 2008 <http://ecoworld.com/features/2004/12/18/oil-drilling-in-alaska/>. 46-There have already been spills in Alaska. J Webb 47-Senators ok’s drilling in Alaska, democrats don’t want to give up the land J Webb 48-Oil is the major leading in the world for bringing in the most money. J Webb 49-Anchorage Daily News griped that environmentalists see Alaska as "a national zoo." J Webb 50-Drilling in Alaska may affect whaling and destroy the economy J Webb 51-If Alaska drilling is opened then California off shore drilling will be too. J Webb 52-The republicans say that if we do not drill then we will have no cars in the future. J Webb watson, rolland. oil drilling in alaska. march,17,2005 november,13,2008 <http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article429822.ece>. Environmentalists say the drilling could do --53-damage on caribou polar bears oxen and millions of migratory birds j wiles 54-it is said that it will produce less than10 million barrels of oil a day j wiles
55-oil is steady climbing to new highs and people are complaining about paying to much for gas j wiles
56-we will not get oil for another ten years because they must get 5 billion dollars from the oil companies to pay to hunt for oil j wiles
Katel, Peter. "Oil Jitters." CQ Researcher 18.1 (2008): 1-24. CQ Researcher Online. CQ Press. Your library's name, city, state abbreviation. 14 Nov. 2008 <http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre2008010400>. 57-Republicans blame democrats for not being able to drill in Alaska. J Webb 58-In 2008 oil hit $100 per barrel, and over $3 per gallon J Webb 59-Researchers have said motorist should be more conservative. J Webb 60-IEA has said within several years we will be using more than 13 millions barrels of oil a day. J Webb 61-The United States alone consumes nearly a quarter of today's world production. J Webb 62-OPEC countries together hold more than three-quarters of the world's known oil reserves. J Webb 63-Making oil from sand is other way but is very environmental destroying. J Webb 64-Birds have been killed because of oil spills. J Webb
65-Other countries oil is high priced to. J Webb 66-Polar bear habitat at center of Alaska drilling debate
67-Alaska Sea Drilling Will Harm Animals, Groups Say 68-We are selling polar bear and walrus habitat space 69-Drilling in Alaska, a Priority for Bush, Fails in the Senate 70-The Senate narrowly voted against drilling for oil in the Alaskan
71- Today's vote, which stripped the drilling provision from the Senate's annual budget jwebb
72-The chief proponent of drilling, Senator Ted Stevens jwebb 73-Bush Will Seek to End Offshore Oil Drilling Ban jwebb
74-$4-a-gallon gas has become a major issue in 2008 jwebb
75-Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling has been pushed to the forefront of the debate.BB
76-In Alaska, there are many current oil field developments that are being added to the existing number of fields in Alaska.BB 77-they provide employment for a large number of oil workers.BB 78-a new development is being proposed by US president George W Bush.BB 79-He believes that there are several important reasons for America to become more involved with drilling in Alaska for oil.BB 80-It is believed that added fields in Alaska would help secure energy sources for the US.BB 81-An added economic advantage is that less oil would need to be imported from the likes of the Middle East which would improve the balance of payments deficit.BB
82-crucial decisions confront our government. Jwebb 83-The development in question could bring a vast number of new jobs in the area.BB 84-The new development would host 50 oil fields over an area of 2000 acres.BB 85-Piping and infrastructure would need to be built to provide roading and a sufficient means of piping the oil.BB 86-In Washington, this proposition is being very much debated and fought by political members.BB 87-The drilling is to take place in a ARWR or Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and has encountered many objections from environmental groups that are against the oil export ban repeal.BB 88-There is currently $8 billion dollars a year that is being generated by oil fields in other parts of the Alaska.BB 89-The Alaskan economy relies heavily on the drilling for oil - an activity that has occurred there for the past 30 years.BB
90-End of offshore oil drilling ban signals shift of U.S. energy strategy. jwebb
91-Senators approved a 630-billion-dollar spending bill by a 78-12 vote. jwebb
92-In the past 27 years, Congress has renewed drilling bans on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts jwebb
93-Under the bans, drilling is only allowed in the central and western Gulf of Mexico and part of the offshore area in Alaska jwebb
94-The ban, inspired by a devastating 1969 oil spill off Santa Barbara.BB
95-The federal Bureau of Land Management, BLM, has renewed its attempt to sell leases to drill for oil in the Teshekpuk Lake area in the northeastern part of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, NPR-A.BB
96-On August 24, the BLM released a draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, SEIS,BB 97-A federal court in Alaska ruled in September 2006 is required before leasing and drilling can begin.BB
98-The BLM has been holding public hearings on the SEIS in Alaska,BB 99-the agency will hold a public hearing in Washington, DC at the Capitol Hilton hotel from 6 to 7 pm.BB
100-The Audubon Society calls this area one of the most sensitive and important wildlife habitats in the Arctic.BB 101-A fragile wilderness that is home to an incredibly diverse variety of migratory shorebirds, waterfowl, and wildlife.BB 102-The area is inhabited by Pacific black brandt, spectacled and Steller's eiders, yellow-billed loons, peregrine falcons, and caribou.BB
103-But the BLM views the oil-rich area as a source of fuel that was set aside specifically for that purpose.BB
104-Petroleum in the 4.6-million-acre Northeast NPR-A is important for meeting our nation’s energy demands,BB
105-This Supplemental Plan will allow us to consider the lands appropriate for leasing and the restrictions.BB
106-We should place on exploration and development that will result in petroleum production while protecting the area’s important resources.BB
107-The Audubon Society points out that the network of wetlands surrounding Teshekpuk Lake has been recognized since 1977 by Congress and by three prior Interior Secretaries.BB 108-It is a special area for its importance to wildlife.BB
109-Yet in January 2006, the Bush administration removed the long-standing protections for the Teshekpuk Lake wetlands.BB 110-Days before the scheduled lease sale the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska ruled that the agency's Environmental Impact Statement failed to adequately address cumulative impacts of drilling on the fragile wilderness.BB
111-For the newly released SEIS, the Bureau of Land Management used what it characterizes as essentially the same alternatives as were in the previous Environmental Impact Statement.BB 112-expand its consideration of additional measures that would minimize impacts, as well as consider [sic] results from scientific studies completed since 2005.BB
113-The additional information and analysis will allow the BLM to complete a plan that provides for sound management of Northeast NPR-A.BB
114-In early 2007, the North Slope Borough the governmental body of the area, which is mainly inhabited by by Inupiat Eskimos.BB
115-They signed an agreement with the BLM that gave it the formal status of a Cooperating Agency for this planning effort.BB
116-About a third of the oil produced in the United States last year came from public lands. jwebb
117-Energy companies hold leases, but are not producing on, about 68 million federal acres.jwebb 118-We have paid special attention the authenticity as to the locations and design of the oil rigs.BB 119-This project has been an ongoing project for about a year with researching the rigs themselves as well as there exact locations and support facilities.BB 120-Along with the rigs themselves there are some great effects and so be sure to fly out to them and take a good look around more than once.BB 121-The staff at MBA sure hope that you enjoy the oil rigs and would like to extent a special thanks to Don Elliott for his hard work on this project.BB 122-84 rescued from oil rig off Israel
GULF OF MEXICO -- Last month, a hurricane and an oil spill derailed Sen. John McCain's plans to tout his newfound support for offshore drilling on an oil rig.
But this morning, McCain and his traveling aide, Brooke Buchanan -- along with eight members of the press -- crowded into a helicopter, flew an hour through sunny skies and landed on Genesis, an oil production facility 150 miles off the coast of New Orleans in the Gulf of Mexico. Standing on the 700 foot platform that produces more than 10,000 barrels of oil per day, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee wore an orange hat and black safety goggles, declaring "that was great" at the end of a brief tour of the Chevron-operated rig.
"When I'm president, there will be a whole lot more like this, not only here in the Gulf, but also off of our east and west coasts," McCain said in brief remarks to the press. "We need to drill offshore. We need to do it now. If I were president, I would call the members [of congress] back into session and tell them get back to work."
He added, "Senator Obama opposes new drilling. He has said it will not 'solve our problem' and that 'it's not real.' He's wrong, and the American people know it. I hope he'll seize the opportunity to come out and pay a visit like this one and I think it would probably change his mind."
Obama, along with many experts in the field, has argued oil drilling won't reduce gas prices in the short term, although McCain's opponent has said he could support drilling as part of a compromise to pass broader energy legislation.
But McCain touts his support of offshore drilling everywhere, and his visit here was the most striking declaration of that position. The tour was very brief, as officials here spent about a half-hour explaining to him how oil and natural gas are extracted and produced at the rig.
McCain spent more time traveling to the rig than he did on the platform, where he read remarks an aide had prepared for what was essentially a photo-op at sea.
The candidate seemed to enjoy it. After walking several flights of stairs, he offered the huffing and puffing reporters trailing him water, but pronounced himself ready to go. He gave his statement, enthusiastically thanked the Chevron employees and squeezed back into the Sikorsky S-76 to head back to New Orleans.
1- 75% of Alaskans support the exploration of gas and oil. JMS
2- Northern Slope of Alaska, about 3-9 billion barrels of recoverable oil. JMS
3- U.S. would save 14 billion per year in oil imports. JMS
4- About 250,000-735,000 jobs created. JMS
5- Oil/gas development coexist with wildlife. JMS
6- Only 8% of the Northern coast will be developed. JMS
7- Economic impact 50 million. 1997 to 2004. JMS
8- 2007 60% oil imported = 330 billion in oil imports. JMS
9- Pres. Bush,”20% increase in oil would likely lower gas prices. Jms
10-USA imports 65% of the nations needs for petroleum.
11-They spend more than $55.1 billion a year on oil.
12-these figures are elevating so much we could exceed 80% imports in 2010.
13-there is a estimated amount of 3 to 9 billion barrels of oil under the north slope of Alaska.
14-the Coastal Plain could produce up to 1.5 million barrels per day for at least 25 years - nearly 25% of current daily U.S. production.
15-The U.S. would save $14 billion per year in oil imports
16-Between 250,000 and 735,000 jobs are estimated to be created by development of the Coastal Plain.
17-Federal revenues would be enhanced by billions of dollars from bonus bids, lease rentals, royalties, and taxes.
18-The Coastal Plain of ANWR is America's best bet for the discovery of another giant "Prudhoe Bay-sized" ail and gas field in North America. Many economic benefits would result
Nixon, Robin. Oil Drilling: Risk and Rewards. 25 June 2008 04:46 pm ET LiveScience. November, 13 2008 <http://www.livescience.com/environment/080625-oil-drilling.html>.
19-Environmental Groups have sued the government to try and stop the off shore drilling in the Chukchi Sea. J Webb
20-Drilling will endanger many different kinds of mammals, sea life, and birds J Webb
21-Global warming has stopped the drilling in Alaska for the minute but it is said it will start again. J Webb
22-Arctic drilling wouldn’t help the high oil prices. J Webb
23-Drilling would just destroy the economy even more and companies would start lying off employees. J Webb
24-Other options to drilling are sharing oil from other countries instead of getting it from over seas. J Webb
25-Can pollute the air and can be spills, this could damage the ocean and the land. J Webb
26-Drilling affects the births of animals because they leave the area when the rig is there. J Webb
27-Oil spreads half a football field a second. J Webb
hargreaves, steve. oildrillinginalaska. july,21,2008 november,13,08 <http://money.cnn.com/2008/07/20/news/economy/alaska_drilling/index.htm>.
28, People say it will say the United States is going to go with less imports and try to bring oil prices down and make easier on drivers. J wiles
29, People are saying that in addition to environmental damage there isn’t much oil there anyways
30, other people say we will produce 800,000 barrels of crude oil in a day
31, But 800,000 is only 1%of the worlds daily crude oil output J wiles
32, some say that they are using the oil drilling in Alaska is a cover up to draw attention away from alternative energy problems J wiles
33, James Cordier says that it would make people think we were going to drill everywhere J wiles
T., Amanda. To Drill or Not to Drill. March 26, 2005 November 13, 2008 <http://www.kiwibox.com/article/33066>.
34- March 16, Senate (49-50) vote approved drilling in ANWR. JMS
35- Reduce dependence on foreign oil. JMS
36- Produce 1 million barrels of oil per day. JMS
37- Less than 2000 acres would be affected out of 1.5 million acres. JMS
38- Produce revenue for state/federal treasury. JMS
Cons
39- Destroy the environment. JMS
40- Wouldn’t impact the need for foreign oil. JMS
41- Provides only about 6 months supply of oil. JMS
42- Oil found would not be available for ten years. JMS
43- Disrupt wildlife. JMS
44- No impact on oil prices and supplies. JMS
45- Displace federal budget/medicare/social security funds to pay for drilling. JMS
46-There have already been spills in Alaska. J Webb
47-Senators ok’s drilling in Alaska, democrats don’t want to give up the land J Webb
48-Oil is the major leading in the world for bringing in the most money. J Webb
49-Anchorage Daily News griped that environmentalists see Alaska as "a national zoo." J Webb
50-Drilling in Alaska may affect whaling and destroy the economy J Webb
51-If Alaska drilling is opened then California off shore drilling will be too. J Webb
52-The republicans say that if we do not drill then we will have no cars in the future. J Webb
watson, rolland. oil drilling in alaska. march,17,2005 november,13,2008 <http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article429822.ece>. Environmentalists say the drilling could do --53-damage on caribou polar bears oxen and millions of migratory birds j wiles
54-it is said that it will produce less than10 million barrels of oil a day j wiles
55-oil is steady climbing to new highs and people are complaining about paying to much for gas j wiles
56-we will not get oil for another ten years because they must get 5 billion dollars from the oil companies to pay to hunt for oil j wiles
Katel, Peter. "Oil Jitters." CQ Researcher 18.1 (2008): 1-24. CQ Researcher Online. CQ Press. Your library's name, city, state abbreviation. 14 Nov. 2008 <http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre2008010400>.
57-Republicans blame democrats for not being able to drill in Alaska. J Webb
58-In 2008 oil hit $100 per barrel, and over $3 per gallon J Webb
59-Researchers have said motorist should be more conservative. J Webb
60-IEA has said within several years we will be using more than 13 millions barrels of oil a day. J Webb
61-The United States alone consumes nearly a quarter of today's world production. J Webb
62-OPEC countries together hold more than three-quarters of the world's known oil reserves. J Webb
63-Making oil from sand is other way but is very environmental destroying. J Webb
64-Birds have been killed because of oil spills. J Webb
65-Other countries oil is high priced to. J Webb
66-Polar bear habitat at center of Alaska drilling debate
67-Alaska Sea Drilling Will Harm Animals, Groups Say
68-We are selling polar bear and walrus habitat space
69-Drilling in Alaska, a Priority for Bush, Fails in the Senate
70-The Senate narrowly voted against drilling for oil in the Alaskan
71- Today's vote, which stripped the drilling provision from the Senate's annual budget jwebb
72-The chief proponent of drilling, Senator Ted Stevens jwebb
73-Bush Will Seek to End Offshore Oil Drilling Ban jwebb
74-$4-a-gallon gas has become a major issue in 2008 jwebb
75-Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling has been pushed to the forefront of the debate.BB
76-In Alaska, there are many current oil field developments that are being added to the existing number of fields in Alaska.BB
77-they provide employment for a large number of oil workers.BB
78-a new development is being proposed by US president George W Bush.BB
79-He believes that there are several important reasons for America to become more involved with drilling in Alaska for oil.BB
80-It is believed that added fields in Alaska would help secure energy sources for the US.BB
81-An added economic advantage is that less oil would need to be imported from the likes of the Middle East which would improve the balance of payments deficit.BB
82-crucial decisions confront our government. Jwebb
83-The development in question could bring a vast number of new jobs in the area.BB
84-The new development would host 50 oil fields over an area of 2000 acres.BB
85-Piping and infrastructure would need to be built to provide roading and a sufficient means of piping the oil.BB
86-In Washington, this proposition is being very much debated and fought by political members.BB
87-The drilling is to take place in a ARWR or Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and has encountered many objections from environmental groups that are against the oil export ban repeal.BB
88-There is currently $8 billion dollars a year that is being generated by oil fields in other parts of the Alaska.BB
89-The Alaskan economy relies heavily on the drilling for oil - an activity that has occurred there for the past 30 years.BB
90-End of offshore oil drilling ban signals shift of U.S. energy strategy. jwebb
91-Senators approved a 630-billion-dollar spending bill by a 78-12 vote. jwebb
92-In the past 27 years, Congress has renewed drilling bans on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts jwebb
93-Under the bans, drilling is only allowed in the central and western Gulf of Mexico and part of the offshore area in Alaska jwebb
94-The ban, inspired by a devastating 1969 oil spill off Santa Barbara.BB
95-The federal Bureau of Land Management, BLM, has renewed its attempt to sell leases to drill for oil in the Teshekpuk Lake area in the northeastern part of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, NPR-A.BB
96-On August 24, the BLM released a draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, SEIS,BB
97-A federal court in Alaska ruled in September 2006 is required before leasing and drilling can begin.BB
98-The BLM has been holding public hearings on the SEIS in Alaska,BB
99-the agency will hold a public hearing in Washington, DC at the Capitol Hilton hotel from 6 to 7 pm.BB
100-The Audubon Society calls this area one of the most sensitive and important wildlife habitats in the Arctic.BB
101-A fragile wilderness that is home to an incredibly diverse variety of migratory shorebirds, waterfowl, and wildlife.BB
102-The area is inhabited by Pacific black brandt, spectacled and Steller's eiders, yellow-billed loons, peregrine falcons, and caribou.BB
103-But the BLM views the oil-rich area as a source of fuel that was set aside specifically for that purpose.BB
104-Petroleum in the 4.6-million-acre Northeast NPR-A is important for meeting our nation’s energy demands,BB
105-This Supplemental Plan will allow us to consider the lands appropriate for leasing and the restrictions.BB
106-We should place on exploration and development that will result in petroleum production while protecting the area’s important resources.BB
107-The Audubon Society points out that the network of wetlands surrounding Teshekpuk Lake has been recognized since 1977 by Congress and by three prior Interior Secretaries.BB
108-It is a special area for its importance to wildlife.BB
109-Yet in January 2006, the Bush administration removed the long-standing protections for the Teshekpuk Lake wetlands.BB
110-Days before the scheduled lease sale the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska ruled that the agency's Environmental Impact Statement failed to adequately address cumulative impacts of drilling on the fragile wilderness.BB
111-For the newly released SEIS, the Bureau of Land Management used what it characterizes as essentially the same alternatives as were in the previous Environmental Impact Statement.BB
112-expand its consideration of additional measures that would minimize impacts, as well as consider [sic] results from scientific studies completed since 2005.BB
113-The additional information and analysis will allow the BLM to complete a plan that provides for sound management of Northeast NPR-A.BB
114-In early 2007, the North Slope Borough the governmental body of the area, which is mainly inhabited by by Inupiat Eskimos.BB
115-They signed an agreement with the BLM that gave it the formal status of a Cooperating Agency for this planning effort.BB
116-About a third of the oil produced in the United States last year came from public lands. jwebb
117-Energy companies hold leases, but are not producing on, about 68 million federal acres.jwebb
118-We have paid special attention the authenticity as to the locations and design of the oil rigs.BB
119-This project has been an ongoing project for about a year with researching the rigs themselves as well as there exact locations and support facilities.BB
120-Along with the rigs themselves there are some great effects and so be sure to fly out to them and take a good look around more than once.BB
121-The staff at MBA sure hope that you enjoy the oil rigs and would like to extent a special thanks to Don Elliott for his hard work on this project.BB
122-84 rescued from oil rig off Israel
GULF OF MEXICO -- Last month, a hurricane and an oil spill derailed Sen. John McCain's plans to tout his newfound support for offshore drilling on an oil rig.
But this morning, McCain and his traveling aide, Brooke Buchanan -- along with eight members of the press -- crowded into a helicopter, flew an hour through sunny skies and landed on Genesis, an oil production facility 150 miles off the coast of New Orleans in the Gulf of Mexico. Standing on the 700 foot platform that produces more than 10,000 barrels of oil per day, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee wore an orange hat and black safety goggles, declaring "that was great" at the end of a brief tour of the Chevron-operated rig.
"When I'm president, there will be a whole lot more like this, not only here in the Gulf, but also off of our east and west coasts," McCain said in brief remarks to the press. "We need to drill offshore. We need to do it now. If I were president, I would call the members [of congress] back into session and tell them get back to work."
He added, "Senator Obama opposes new drilling. He has said it will not 'solve our problem' and that 'it's not real.' He's wrong, and the American people know it. I hope he'll seize the opportunity to come out and pay a visit like this one and I think it would probably change his mind."
Obama, along with many experts in the field, has argued oil drilling won't reduce gas prices in the short term, although McCain's opponent has said he could support drilling as part of a compromise to pass broader energy legislation.
But McCain touts his support of offshore drilling everywhere, and his visit here was the most striking declaration of that position. The tour was very brief, as officials here spent about a half-hour explaining to him how oil and natural gas are extracted and produced at the rig.
McCain spent more time traveling to the rig than he did on the platform, where he read remarks an aide had prepared for what was essentially a photo-op at sea.
The candidate seemed to enjoy it. After walking several flights of stairs, he offered the huffing and puffing reporters trailing him water, but pronounced himself ready to go. He gave his statement, enthusiastically thanked the Chevron employees and squeezed back into the Sikorsky S-76 to head back to New Orleans.